The newly released version of Revit Architecture, Revit Architecture 2009, supports FBX file format as a option to export Revit Model to 3ds Max. This version has better features than the previous release options, including easy transfer of geometry and material properties.
The new version of Revit Architecture uses Mental Ray instead of Accurender, and hence provides the option to achieve photo-realistic images within Revit. Please click for more details.
This workflow describes the preferred way to export the Revit model and as FBX and import it to generate daylighting scenes.
Go to View>Advanced Model Graphics and set the sun parameters. You can change the values later in 3ds Max, if required.
Select the 3D view that has to be exported
Go to File>Export>DWG format. Assign a single name and location of the folder, if the file is to be linked in 3ds Max. To choose the FBX option, go to File>Export>FBX export. Assign a file location and name, and save.
Go to Customize menu>Custom UI and defaults switcher. Choose Max mental ray option and set. Restart 3ds Max. You should be able to see the 'arch+design' Mental Ray template after opening the material editor toolbar (shortcut key: M).
Custom UI settings
Open 3ds Max 2009
Go to File>Import and select FBX file type under the export folder assigned in Revit export. Select the exported file.
Ignore the warnings like 'Camera offsets are not supported' and click OK
In the Perspective viewport, select the 3d view to be rendered.
Select the Sun from any viewport and change the settings, if needed. A new 'Weather File' can also be uploaded to set the sun and Sky parameters.
Go to Render menu and open the render set up. Mental ray should be the default renderer assigned. Under Renderer tab, set the Render preset Mental Ray daylighting draft or high.Try the draft option first to see everything is alright. Set the image size according to requirement.
Render the scene
Save the image
Render Preset: Mental Ray Daylight
Advanced Features
Material texture issues are resolved as both Revit and Max uses the same material library and renderer.
Sun and sky parameters can be also assigned using an external Weather file.
The Pseudo Color Exposure control enables one to understand the actual Illuminance or Luminance levels (for daylighting analysis) with a color map rendering. Click for more details.
Revit Architecture 2009 to 3ds Max 2009
The newly released version of Revit Architecture, Revit Architecture 2009, supports FBX file format as a option to export Revit Model to 3ds Max. This version has better features than the previous release options, including easy transfer of geometry and material properties.
The new version of Revit Architecture uses Mental Ray instead of Accurender, and hence provides the option to achieve photo-realistic images within Revit. Please click for more details.
This workflow describes the preferred way to export the Revit model and as FBX and import it to generate daylighting scenes.
Work Flow
Within Revit Architecture 2009
Watch the video
Within 3ds Max 2009, FBX import
For File linking and DWG import, see Revit Architecture 2008 to 3ds Max 2008.
Watch the video
Go to Customize menu>Custom UI and defaults switcher. Choose Max mental ray option and set. Restart 3ds Max. You should be able to see the 'arch+design' Mental Ray template after opening the material editor toolbar (shortcut key: M).
Advanced Features
Pseudo Color Exposure Control
The Pseudo Color Exposure control enables one to understand the actual Illuminance or Luminance levels (for daylighting analysis) with a color map rendering. Click for more details.
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